Updated 9 September 2026 · Dubai · Abu Dhabi · all emirates

Fuel storage on construction sites — the UAE rules that matter

Diesel tanks, bowsers, drums and generator day tanks are on almost every UAE site, and they are one of the first things a Civil Defence or environmental inspector walks to. This page sets out the rules that apply — bunding, siting, refuelling, fire protection and spill response — and links to the free checklist and risk assessment tools to put them in place.

Open the fuel storage checklist Build a fuel MSRA

The six rules inspectors check first

Bunding and containment

Store fuel in a double-skinned tank or inside an impermeable bund holding at least 110% of the largest container (or 25% of the total volume, whichever is greater). Keep drip trays under pumps, valves and couplings, and never let rainwater or wash water from the bund reach ground or drains.

Siting and separation

Put the fuel store away from excavations, site entrances, welfare and occupied buildings, with separation distances set by the fire risk assessment. Protect tanks and bowsers from vehicle impact with barriers or bollards, and keep the area clear of drains, watercourses and discharge points.

Ignition control and fire protection

No smoking, hot work or open fires within the signed exclusion zone. Post bilingual Arabic/English "No Smoking" and "No Naked Flames" signs, keep serviced dry-powder or foam extinguishers at a fire point outside the bund, and show the store on the site fire plan.

Refuelling discipline

Engines off and cool before refuelling. Use automatic shut-off nozzles (never jammed open), stay with the nozzle for the whole fill, and refuel over a drip tray or mat — never bare ground. Decant small quantities only into approved, labelled safety containers.

Refuelling plant and equipment

Only trained, authorised operatives refuel plant. Move machines to a designated refuelling area where practicable, park level with attachments lowered and the ignition key removed, and let turbo and exhaust surfaces cool. Never refuel in an excavation, basement or confined space without ventilation and a permit, fill to the marked level only, and confirm the correct fuel to avoid misfuelling.

Fuel bowsers and service vehicles

Use bunded or double-skinned bowsers with a lockable cabinet over the valves, hose and nozzle. Check the coupling, brakes, tyres and lights before each tow, chock the bowser on level ground before dispensing, carry a spill kit and serviced extinguisher, and return it to the locked fuel compound at the end of the shift.

Spill response and environment

Keep a spill kit sized for the largest credible spill at the storage point. Clean spills immediately, dispose of contaminated soil and absorbent as hazardous waste through a licensed contractor, and record incidents in the environmental register where permit conditions require.

Records and inspection

Cover fuel storage in the site MSRA and fire risk assessment, keep a delivery and issue log reconciled to stock, restrict access to authorised persons, and record a weekly inspection of tank, bund, hoses and signage with findings actioned.

Which authority asks for what

Civil Defence — UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice

Chapter 12 covers construction and demolition sites: fuel store siting, ignition control, signage, extinguisher provision and hot-work separation. The fuel store belongs on the site fire plan and in the emergency plan.

EAD and municipal environment teams

Environmental permit conditions typically require bunded storage, protection of drains and discharge points, licensed disposal of contaminated material and spill reporting. Abu Dhabi sites follow EAD technical guidance; other emirates apply municipal equivalents.

ADOSH-SF (formerly OSHAD) — Abu Dhabi

Fuel storage must sit inside the entity's registered OSH management system: hazard identification and risk assessment, codes of practice for hazardous materials and signage, training records and incident reporting.

Dubai Municipality and Trakhees

Dubai mainland sites follow the Code of Construction Safety Practice; free-zone plots follow Trakhees EHS regulations. Both expect dispensing discipline, equipment condition and inspection records for fuel installations.

Put it in place today

Three free tools cover the whole job: walk the store with the checklist, assess the activity with the MSRA builder, and keep the fire precautions in step with the hot-work checklist.

Fuel storage checklist

70+ printable checkpoints covering siting, bunding, refuelling, fire and spill response.

MSRA risk builder

Fuel storage, refuelling and tanker delivery hazards pre-loaded — score and print.

Fire & hot work checklist

Ignition control, fire watch and extinguisher checks for the areas around the store.

Working near drains or dewatering? The environmental controls checklist covers discharge points and spill reporting in detail.

Frequently asked questions

How big does a fuel bund need to be on a UAE construction site?

The accepted standard is a bund holding at least 110% of the largest single container, or 25% of the total volume stored, whichever is greater. The bund must be impermeable, undamaged, and kept free of rainwater and debris so the capacity is real when it is needed.

Can I refuel plant while the engine is running?

No. Switch the engine off and let hot surfaces cool before refuelling. Use an automatic shut-off nozzle, stay with it for the whole fill, and refuel over a drip tray or refuelling mat — never over bare ground.

What signage does a fuel store need in the UAE?

Bilingual Arabic/English "No Smoking" and "No Naked Flames" signs at storage and dispensing points, contents and capacity labels on tanks and bowsers, and the fuel store shown on the site fire plan. ADOSH-SF's signage code of practice applies in Abu Dhabi.

What do I do with spilled diesel or contaminated soil?

Stop the source, contain with the spill kit, and clean up immediately. Contaminated soil and used absorbent are hazardous waste: bag or stockpile them on an impermeable surface and remove them through a licensed hazardous waste contractor with transfer notes. Record the spill in the environmental register and report it where your permit conditions require.

Do I need a permit to store fuel on site?

Requirements vary by emirate and project: Civil Defence and environmental permit conditions commonly apply to bulk storage, and free-zone sites follow Trakhees rules. Check your project's approvals and the authority for your plot, and record the fuel store in your MSRA and fire risk assessment either way.

This page is general guidance for UAE construction teams and is not legal advice. Bund capacities, separation distances and permit conditions vary by emirate and project — always work to the current published requirements of your authority and your project's own approved documents.